Guidance Documents and Sustainability Appraisal

The purpose of Sustainability Appraisal (SA) is to promote sustainable development through better integration of social, environmental and economic considerations into the preparation of planning documents.

This SA Scoping Report forms the first stage in the SA process for documents forming part of the new Mole Valley Local Plan (Future Mole Valley).

The SA Scoping Report is available (see 'Downloads').

Constraints Analysis (May 2017)

The Constraints Analysis study identifies significant strategic level constraints which will have the biggest influence on Mole Valley District Council (MVDC)'s strategic approach to planning for objectively assessed needs. The document is part of the suite of evidence that supports the new Local Plan (Future Mole Valley).

Find out more about the progress of Future Mole Valley. The Constraints Analysis is available (see 'Downloads').

Duty to Cooperate Scoping Statement (May 2017)

When preparing a local plan there is a legal requirement that local planning authorities cooperate with their neighbours and other relevant bodies to maximise effective working on strategic matters. The Duty to Cooperate Scoping Statement identifies specific strategic and cross-boundary matters and the relevant duty to cooperate bodies.

The Duty to Cooperate Scoping Statement is part of the suite of evidence that supports the new Local Plan (Future Mole Valley).

Find out about the progress of Future Mole Valley. The Duty to Cooperate Scoping Statement is available (see 'Downloads').

Special Area of Conservation Guidance Note

The Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is an area of Europe-wide significance for its nature conservation value. It covers 888 hectares (ha) of the North Downs, including Norbury Park, Headley Heath, White Down and Box Hill. The boundaries are shown on the Interactive Proposals Map (see 'Related Pages'). For more information, view the 'Special Area of Conservation Guidance Note' document (see 'Downloads').

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

MVDC adopted the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) 2016 at the Council meeting on 6 December 2016.

The SCI 2016 describes how our local communities and partners can be actively involved in planning decisions. It describes how and when MVDC will involve residents, businesses and other organisations in decisions about planning applications and planning policies. This document updates the previous SCI 2010.

Key changes in the Adopted SCI 2016 include:

an expansion of the existing arrangements for consulting on planning applications, including increased use of site notices (as detailed on page 11 of the SCI), and the use of 'My Alerts'; a system which enables users to receive electronic notifications about planning applications within a specific area

updated information on how people can be involved in the preparation of the Local Plan and other planning policies, reflecting changes in legislation since 2010

information about how and when MVDC will consult on Neighbourhood Development Plans being produced by Parish Councils or Neighbourhood Forums. Neighbourhood Development Plans are currently being prepared in Ashtead, Bookham, Capel Parish (Beare Green, Capel and Coldharbour), Ockley and Westcott

The Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SA/SEA) is the process of looking at objectives and policies as they are being developed and examining how they contribute to sustainable development. A Sustainability Appraisal was prepared for the Core Strategy Development Plan Document (see 'Downloads'). A Sustainability Appraisal Report was also carried out for the Dorking Town Area Action Plan. A SA/SEA Scoping Report was published in May 2013 and forms a generic document for future sustainability appraisal plans, including Neighbourhood Development Plans. A Sustainability Appraisal Report was published with the Housing and Traveller Plan Consultation document in January 2014.